FDA finds radioactive cesium in Indonesian cloves as shrimp recalls widen in U.S.
Federal regulators have discovered potential radioactive contamination in another food product sent to the U.S. from Indonesia, even as the recalls of potentially contaminated shrimp continue to increase. The finding raises further questions about the source of this unusual issue.
Last week, U.S. Food and Drug Administration officials blocked the import of all spices from PT Natural Java Spice in Indonesia after federal inspectors found cesium 137 in a shipment of cloves sent to California.
This action follows the import alert imposed in August on the company PT Bahari Makmuri Sejati, or BMS foods, which exports millions of pounds of shrimp to the U.S. annually.
Here’s what you need to know about potential cesium 137 contamination:
What is cesium 137?
Cesium 137 is a radioactive isotope that is produced as a byproduct of nuclear reactions, including nuclear bombs, testing, reactor operations, and accidents. It is found worldwide, with trace amounts present in the environment, including soil, food, and air.
What have U.S. officials found?
U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials detected cesium 137 in shipping containers of shrimp sent by PT Bahari Makmur Sejati to various U.S. ports. CBP officials alerted the FDA, which tested shrimp samples and found cesium 137 in a sample of breaded shrimp.
The company has sent approximately 84 million pounds (38 million kilograms) of shrimp to U.S. ports this year, according to Import Genius, a trade data analysis company. It supplies about 6% of the foreign shrimp imported into the U.S.
This month, FDA officials found cesium 137 in a sample of cloves exported by PT Natural Java Spice, which exports spices to the U.S. and other countries. Records show the company sent about 440,000 pounds (200,000 kilograms) of cloves to the U.S. this year.
What are the health risks?
No food that triggered alerts or tested positive has been released for sale in the U.S., FDA officials emphasized.
However, hundreds of thousands of packages of imported frozen shrimp sold at Kroger and other grocery stores across the U.S. have been recalled because they may have been produced under conditions that allowed contamination, the agency stated.
Although the risk seems small, the foods could present a “potential health concern” for people exposed to low levels of cesium 137 over time.
The detected contamination levels are far below what would necessitate health protections, but long-term exposure could increase the risk of certain cancers.
Where did the contamination come from?
It is unclear if there is a common contamination source for the shrimp and spices. FDA and CBP officials stated that investigations are ongoing. The two processing facilities appear to be about 500 miles (800 kilometers) apart in Indonesia.
Contamination may originate from contaminated scrap metal or melted metal at an industrial site near the shrimp processing plant in Indonesia, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency. Nuclear regulators in Indonesia reported finding radioactive isotopes at a site outside Jakarta.
According to Steve Biegalski, a nuclear medicine expert at the Georgia Institute of Technology, this type of contamination could result from recycling old medical equipment that contained cesium 137.
Contaminated transport containers or shipping methods, such as trucks, boats, or shared materials, could also be a source, he stated.
What should consumers do?
Currently, consumers should avoid eating or serving shrimp recalled for possible cesium 137 contamination, according to the FDA.
So far, four companies have issued shrimp recalls since August, including those listed here.
1. Aug. 21, 2025: Southwind Foods, LLC Recall
2. Aug. 22, 2025: Beaver Street Fisheries, LLC Recall
3. Aug. 27, 2025: AquaStar (USA) Corp Recall – Kroger Brand
4. Aug. 28, 2025: AquaStar (USA) Corp Recall – Aqua Star Brand
5. Aug. 29, 2025: Southwind Foods, LLC Recall – Expansion of original recall
6. Sept. 19, 2025: AquaStar (USA) Corp Recall – Expansion of original recall
7. Sept. 23, 2025: Southwind Foods, LLC Recall – Expansion of original recall
8. Sept. 23, 2025: Lawrence Wholesale, LLC Recall – Kroger Brand
World Affairs Correspondent
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